2805662

I’ve only seen S3 testing done with small arms. Have an agreed number of natures of ammunition tested a “qualified” for Initial Materiel Release (IMR)/Initial Operating Capability (IOC), then do the rest to get to FMR/FOC. So, in the case of a new rifle, you could have ball and blank at IMR/IOC, then reduced range training ammunition, frangible ammunition, tracer, armour piercing, and simunition by IMR/FMR. 

Way more complicated for mounted systems, especially when considering recoil & feed systems. 

I would’ve thought using the Mk44 off the shelf would’ve been lower risk, but that’s just a gut feel. 

On 5/20/2018 at 12:20 AM, Ramlaen said:

 

The XM813 is a variant of the Mk44 with a slightly longer barrel, dual recoil system and a linkless ammunition feed from Meggitt.

So, from a product qualification/safety & suitability for service perspective, a new gun. 

16 hours ago, Mighty_Zuk said:

http://www.janes.com/article/80187/australia-selects-spike-lr2

 

Australia chooses the Spike LR2 missile for the Boxer CRV and becomes the 2nd export customer of the missile.

Not according to my contacts in CASG (the Australian DoD procurement organisation). Still being decided - may be determined by Project Land 4108, not Land 400 Phase 2. 

Is the XM813 gun different to the Mk44 that’s used by the US Navy (& presumably fitted to the Dragoon)?

Demo of the Boxer CRV at Exercise CHONG JU:

http://images.defence.gov.au/20180516adf8508047_003.jpg

6 hours ago, Ramlaen said:

 

I haven’t had any luck finding out if the M1128’s in SBCT converted to DVH have received any related upgrades.

From what I’ve read, the M1128 MGS can’t be upgraded to a DVH. 

http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2017/pdf/army/2017strykerdvha1ecp.pdf

3 hours ago, Ramlaen said:

Army senior leaders have decided to pure-fleet the Double-V Hull upgrade to all of the service's Stryker vehicles, though they are still working to allocate funding to support the effort.

Damn paywalls. Any mention about the fate of the MGS? Thought it couldn’t be DVH’d. Maybe they’re banking on the MPF.

4 hours ago, Mighty_Zuk said:

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/british-army-reveals-more-miv-details-including-pr/

 

• 500 Boxer MIV will be purchased.
• Total program cost ~$5.4 billion.
• 4 variants: APC, Ambulance, C&C, Equipment support (maintenance).
• They don't want turreted vehicles, or ones with mortars.

Seems that the average price for this thing is north of $10 million dollars, judging by this contract and the Australian one. 

I don’t think the UK to Australia unit cost is an apples to apples comparison, mainly due to the expense of the Lance turret on the Australian buy (originally 180 of the proposed 225 were to be turreted; now only 133 of the 223 modules for the 211 vehicles are being procured).

Shame the the mortar variant remains an unfunded napkinpanzer.

Dual Javelin engagement in wooded terrain against a moving thermal target:

Speaking of things Boxer, I can’t find any specs on the weight of the drive module only...any references?

My concern with lacquered steel cartridges and reliability is more the potential for lacquer residue from the cartridges themselves being deposited in the chamber causing failures (unique to lacquered steel), not carbon fouling from the propellant (common to all propellants, albeit to differing degrees).

5 hours ago, Ramlaen said:

The UK will re-join the Boxer programme and explore options to equip the Army with the 8x8 troop carriers to modernise its vehicle fleet and meet the Army’s Mechanised Infantry Vehicle requirement.

Does the UK MoD do April Fools?

It could very well - I didn’t get enough hands-on time to see & didn’t check the cart cases. 

Thanks @Khand-e 

Lots of good information there. 

You mentioned cleaner-burning powder: I’m assuming it’s double based propellant?

Not having have much experience with lacquered steel cases (literally 25 rounds through a FAMAS), but the rapid build up of residue in the chamber surprised me. Is this an issue with 5.8x42mm?

How about tracers for machine gun use? For example, the US issues belts of 200 rounds (four rounds of M855 ball/one round M856 tracer/M27 link) for its SAW. Is there a Chinese equivalent?

Thanks. 

There doesn’t seem to be much out there on modern Chinese service ammunition...does it have a penetrator (ala SS109)? What’s its BC? Is there an AP variant?

Thanks

1 hour ago, Walter_Sobchak said:

 

Has any US company invested in developing a new AFV recently?

Begs the question, is BAE a US company?

6 hours ago, Ramlaen said:

 

I suspect it’s only a matter of time before the UK stops dicking around and also buys Boxers.

Inside talk is that the flat top version of this will (eventually) replace the Bushmaster PMV. 

The Phase 2 contenders were also asked to price up their 8x8 trucks for Phase 3 (IFV, previously notionally tracked). 

Boxer wins in Australia:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-14/ipswich-qld-wins-5-billion-army-purchase-light-armoured-vehicle/9545186

On 02/03/2018 at 12:53 PM, JNT11593 said:

Good lord that's sexy. I seriously hope the U.S. Army selects it, and I can't think of a good reason they wouldn't. It's the only purposed built light tank. Has been ready for production since the 90s, domestically designed and built, and I'd imagine if the need arose the could drop the XM360E1 in it for addition firepower, even if ammo capacity did take a hit.

Trying to find a link to the M8 “Thunderbolt” concept demonstrator that was fitted with a 120mm gun. That activity included firing tests, as we’ll a show an electric drive, IIRC. 

It’s bigger, of course. 

22 minutes ago, Serge said:

For the love of God, I hope BAE will développe a complete family of light tracked AFV. 

Has BAE invested in developing new AFV  recently? Or just tweaking products from previous acquisitions?

10 hours ago, Ramlaen said:

BAE Systems has submitted its proposal to the U.S. Army to build and test the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) vehicle for use by the Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT).

 

For the love of god, I hope they buy this. 

This competition has certainly seen some interesting bedfellows. 

https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/land-amphibious/1945-politicians-out-in-force-as-land-400-phase-2-decision-looms

RUAG to do tech transfer if BAE win Land 400-2. 

49 minutes ago, Conner Webb said:

Just to let you guys know, there’s a Facebook group called “The M113 Interest Group.” that has 4.1k members and they only post pictures and talk about the Gavin.

There’s even one solely about Australian and New Zealand M113s.